Iran nuclear deal sparks New York demo

Thursday, July 23, 2015 - 01:25

Thousands rally in New York to urge the U.S. Congress to reject the Iran nuclear deal brokered in Vienna. Paul Chapman reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

An estimated 10, 000 turned out in New York's landmark Times Square in protest over the Iran nuclear deal.
They're urging the U.S. Congress to reject the agreement brokered in Vienna to rein in Tehran's atomic programme.
Speakers at Wednesday's rally included New York's former governor George Pataki.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) FORMER NEW YORK GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI SAYING:
"This isn't a bad deal, it's a God-awful deal, it must be rejected. Congress must do its job and stand up for the American people, stand up for our safety and say 'no' to this Iranian deal."
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center who also attended the Times Square rally took a more subdued tone.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) RABBI ABRAHAM COOPER, SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER, SAYING:
"If they can convince us that there's something here to salvage, we're all ears but if not we hope they have the courage - the personal courage as well as the political courage - to do the right thing and vote against this pact."
The deal between Iran, the five permanent members of the U.N Security Council and the European Union offers sanctions relief in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.
President Barack Obama says it's the only alternative to war in the Middle East.
The fiercely partisan U.S. Congress has until September 17th to decide whether to approve or reject the deal which opponents say empowers Iran and threatens Israel.